subject: What Factors Should I Consider For When Trying To Source A Reputable Domestic Drainage Contractor? [print this page] The UK government introduced the private sewers transfer regulations in October, 2011 which passed the responsibility for certain elements of the drainage system to the local water authority, such as Yorkshire Water. The new legislation means that in the event of you encountering a blocked drain in your home, you may not be responsible for both the task of clearing it and the associated costs.
What to do if you experience a blocked drain
As a home owner, if you encounter such things as nasty smells coming from the plug holes, your toilet not flushing, water backing up in the sink or bath, or gargling noises coming from the drains, chances are you have a drainage problem.
Before October, 2011, you would simply have to source a private contractor to visit your home to inspect and clear the blockage. However, this is not the case now. If you suspect you have a blocked drain, the first thing you must do is contact the water authority responsible for managing your water, drainage or sewers. You should have received bills from them, which will state their contact details. Give them a call, explain the problem and they will send out an engineer to inspect the problem.
Before the water authority engineer arrives, and to ensure you are prepared, visit the governments website and make a note of what part of the drain sewer you are responsible for. When the engineer arrives, they will first inspect if there is a problem, run some tests and inform you of what the problem is and where it is located. They will then make clear to you whether it is the water authorities or your responsibility. If it is their responsibility, dependent upon the scale of the problem, the engineer will probably attempt to clear the blockage there and then. If the problem is more serious, they may need to re-schedule and return.
If the engineer suggests the problem is your responsibility, seek clarification by asking them what the blockage is and where it is located. If you are not satisfied with the engineers diagnosis, contact the water authority directly to discuss. If you are happy to accept it is your responsibility you then have two options. You can ask the water authority engineer on site for an immediate quote to complete the work there and then. Upon receiving the quote, we would recommend asking the engineer if they would mind waiting 5 minutes just to check if the quote is competitive. You can then contact 2 or 3 local drainage companies, explain what the problem is, and ask how much it would cost and when they can complete the work.
You will find numerous local drainage companies either through a search engine or by looking in your local directory. Ideally, we would recommend choosing a drainage contractor who has a proven track in your area and is local. Whilst not always the case, drainage contractors often base their charges on labour (time) and fuel (distance), so try to choose someone local to your home. Ask them for details of examples of work undertake in your area, including any clients you might recognise.
